Lefty Drew Smyly

I am sure that everyone that calls themselves Mariner fans watched the World Baseball Classic where the USA went up against Venezuela was impressed on how Drew Smyly pitched well as Felix Hernandez.

Smyly pitched four and two-thirds of an inning throwing 61 pitches including 44 strikes giving up one unearned run, three hits and struck out eight batters. Since he is in spring training form right now it was a good sign for the Mariners. I am sure that the team will be very happy if he pitches anywhere close to that over the season.  He threw filthy pitches and had batters going after balls that they should have left alone.

King Felix went five innings giving up three hits just like Smyly and gave up no runs while striking out three batters. He did struggle a bit more than Smyly however got out each inning.

Felix and Smyly look to be ready for the season. We hope that we can see this kind of pitching on a regular basis. I am sure each will have their moments in struggling on the mound however if they can pitch a lot this way on a regular basis the Mariners will be in very good shape.

I am sure it won’t happen at the beginning of the season but if these two guys can go at least seven innings in a game this will help out the bullpen in not being over used.

At this point Felix is the number one starter while Smyly is looking to be the number four starter. James Paxton right now will look to be the second starter in the rotation followed by Iwakuma before Smyly. This will really help the Mariners if Smyly can pitch well in the fourth position in the rotation. Most teams fourth and fifth starters struggle during the season so having someone who pitches like a second or third starter in the fourth spot will really help the Mariners out.

What will really help the Mariners out is if James Paxton can stay healthy. He could be the pitcher the Mariners have been hoping for the last several years. He is another pitcher the Mariners have that could go seven innings or longer in his starts. He has shown when healthy that he is stronger at the end of games much as at the beginning of games.

As long as the starters stay healthy this could be the best rotation they have had in a long time. Probably have to go back to when they were in the playoffs and won 116 games in 2001 or before that with Randy Johnson and Jamie Moyer being in the rotation.

The defense, the speed and offense the Mariners look to have going into the season having a descent starting rotation and bullpen can put them in the playoffs. It has been a long time coming and the players know that is what they want to do for the fans.  You may have to get your seats early because if the Mariners make it to the playoffs it is going to be harder to get them. Go M’s.